The list of clubs sizing up striker who's looking for a new contract after firing Villans away from relegation grows and grows

Casting their net: Benteke is on the shopping list for clubs at home and abroadGetty ImagesChristian Benteke wants Aston Villa to honour their promise of a bumper new contract – after keeping them in the Premier League.

Villa’s escape from relegation has paved the way for manager Paul Lambert and owner Randy Lerner to step up their efforts to keep the Belgian sensation.

Benteke’s 19 Premier League goals following a £7million move from Genk has alerted the cream of Europe, with Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund the latest interested club.

The Germans view him as a perfect replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is lined up for a summer transfer to either Bayern Munich, Manchester United or Chelsea.

AC Milan and Arsenal also fancy 22-year-old Benteke, now rated in the £30m bracket by the Villans' boss Lambert.

Benteke’s agent Eris Kismet has confirmed Dortmund’s chief transfer negotiator Michael Zorc was at Saturday's game against Chelsea and added: “Now that the future of Aston Villa is secure I hope it will mean we can have discussions maybe by the end of the week. If not, then next week.

That's Jurgen Klopp on the left, you know...PA

“We did the transfer deal last summer with Aston Villa with a lot of respect. We hope that ­discussions on a new contract will be done with the same respect.

“Villa have said they want to speak for several weeks, but it has been difficult because of the ­situation in the Premier League. Now they are safe and the ­situation will change.

“I am aware of the Dortmund representation at Villa Park for the Chelsea match, but Christian is still a Villa player and nothing has changed on that point.”

Benteke has no buy-out clause in his current three-year deal, but Villa are determined not to allow another star leave and follow in the footsteps of James Milner, Ashley Young and Gareth Barry